End-capped cylindrical package

ABSTRACT

Cylindrical objects, particularly those with readily damaged ends such as rolls of sheeting and the like, are protected in special packaging comprising protective end caps and heat shrunk outer wrapping of plastic film which envelopes the cylindrical objects and the end caps.

I United States Patent 1151 3,669,255

Raymus 1 June 13, 1972 [54] END-CAPPED CYLINDRICAL 3,399,761 9/1968 Hayashi ..206/65 Y PACKAGE 1,954,848 4/1934 Scott ..206/59 1= 1,989,053 1/1935 Hills et a1 ..206/59 F [72] Invent (miles Ram, 51mg Lake 2,059,267 11/1936 Nichols ..206/59 1= [73] Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation, New York 2,286,500 6/1942 MOl'l'ill, Jr. at :al ..206/59F Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr.

F l d: 29 1969 [22] l e Dec Attorney-Paul A. Rose, J. Hart Evans and John F. Hohmann [21] Appl. No.: 888,497

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S.CI "206/5321; 531/30, 2O6/426Z8, Cylindrical objecs' particularly those with readily damaged 51 I t Cl 865d 942 ends such as rolls of sheeting and the like, are protected in g i /59 F 59 i 65 S 65 Y special packaging comprising protective end caps and heat 206/46 12 2 3 shrunk outer wrapping of plastic film which envelopes the cylindrical objects and the end caps.

[56} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 13 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 2,708,031 5/1955 Martineau ..206/59 F PATENTEBJun 13 me INVENTOR GRANTGES J. RAYMUS ATTORNEY END-CAPPED CYLINDRICAL PACKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The packaging and shipment of cylindrical objects has long presented various problems. This is particularly true of rolls of sheeting such as plastic films, textiles and the like, where the axial ends of the rolls are readily subject to crushing and related damage. Protective end caps have been used in an efiort to protect such rolls, as shown in US Pats. Nos. 1,260,491 to Weaver, 1,989,053 to Hills et al., and 2,708,031 to Martineau, among others.

While the use of such caps aided in protecting roll goods, problems have persisted, particularly with regard to keeping the end caps in place and preventing soiling of and damage to the goods on the roll. Attempts to wrap with paper have been only partially successful, and have presented difiiculties in removing the wrapping without damaging the roll contents and in disposing of the wrapping material.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been discovered that an improved and superior packaging for cylindrical objects, particularly roll goods, can be achieved by using certain types of protective end caps in combination with a heat shrinkable plastic film. According to the invention end caps are first placed on one or both ends of a cylindrical object, particularly a roll of sheeting material, and the thus capped cylindrical object is then enveloped in a heat shrinkable plastic film. Sufficient heat is then applied to shrink the film tightly around the object.

The heat shrinkable plastic film used in the invention may be in the form of a seamless tube into which the cylindrical object is inserted prior to heating. The heat shrinkable plastic tube may be a sheet which is wrapped around the cylindrical object and heat sealed along the length of the roll prior to heat shrinking. Such a heat seal provides a simple and effective method of opening the package by tearing along the seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a cylindrical package in accordance with the invention wherein end caps smaller in diameter than a roll of sheeting are fitted over protruding ends of a core.

FIG. 2 is a partial view in section of one end of the package shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial view in perspective of one end of a cylindrical package in accordance with the invention wherein an end cap of the same diameter as a cylindrical object has been positioned on the end of the object.

F IG. 4 is a partial view in perspective of one end of a cylindrical package in accordance with the invention wherein the axial protrusion on end cap larger in diameter than a cylindrical object has been forced into an axial hole in the cylindrical object.

FIG. 5 is a partial view in section of one end of the package shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a molded plastic end cap useful in the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view in section of the end cap shown in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The article in the package of FIG. 1 is a roll of sheeting l0 wrapped around a hollow core 12 which is longer than the width of the sheeting and projects at both axial ends of the roll. Protective end caps 14 which have axial holes are slipped over the ends of the hollow core 12. The entire package is enveloped by a sheet of heat shrunk plastic film 16 which has been wrapped around roll of sheeting, seamed into a cylinder by the tear-seal heat seam l8 and the ends 20 tucked into the hollow ends of the hollow core 12, and heat shrunk to fit tightly around the package. A label 22 is shown affixed to the roll of sheeting under the heat shrunk plastic film 16. In

FIG. 2, which is a section of one end of the package of FIG. I, the relationship of certain of the elements of the package is more clearly brought out.

In FIG. 3 is illustrated, in a partial view of one end of a cylin drical package, a cylindrical object 30 has end caps of the same diameter 32 which have no axial holes. A seamless tube 34 of plastic film has been heat shrunk over the article 30 and end caps 32, the end of the tube 34 shrinking to a circle 36.

An enlarged end cap 40 which is larger than the hollow cylindrical object 42 to which it is attached is shown in partial view in FIG. 4. A seamless tube 44 of plastic film has been shrunk over the object 42 and end caps 40, the end of the tube shrinking to a circle 46. As can be seen in FIG. 5, which is a section view of FIG. 4, the end cap 40 has an axial protrusion 48 with a serrated outer wall 50 which extends into and grips the internal wall 52 of the hollow cylindrical object 42.

In FIG. 6 and corresponding sectioned FIG. 7 are shown a typical molded plastic end cap 60 suitable for use in the invention. The collar 62 is adapted to fit inside the end of a hollow core protruding from a roll of sheeting or the like.

The end-caps are preferably circular, with a diameter from 75 to percent of the outside diameter of the cylindrical object to which they are afiixed. This circular shape makes it easy to roll the cylindrical packages about. A flat or otherwise regular surface on the outer face of the end cap permits ready vertical stacking of the cylindrical packages. End caps according to the invention can be single discs, solid or hollow, held in place in the packaged article by the heat shrunk plastic film alone. They may, however, be pierced axial holes adapted to fit over protrusions on cylindrical objects, such as the cores which commonly protrude from rolls of sheeting and the like. They may also have axial protrusions, with or without serrations, suitable for extending into axial holes in cylindrical objects to be packaged.

Suitable materials for end-caps include wood, composition board, plastic foam, molded plastic, metal and ceramic, with the caps being cast, molded or otherwise formed as appropriate to the material. We have used inch thick discs of reprocessed newsprint board with axial holes as end caps for rolls of vinyl sheeting in packages according to the invention with excellent results.

The plastic film used in packaging cylindrical objects according to our invention can be any heat-shrinkable plastic film such as films made from heat-shrinkable polyethylene and modified, heat-shrinkable vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers, heat shrinkable vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, heat-shrinkable polystyrene, heat-shrinkable polyesters and heat'shrinkable polypropylene.

When the film is in the form of a sheet of plastic wrapped around the cylindrical object and heat sealed to itself, the heat-seal can be a tear seal the length of the cylinder, which greatly facilitates later removal of the plastic film. A small triangular cut in the heat seal at the end cap will provide a tab which can then be pulled the length of the tear seal to part the film and thus open the package with no risk of cutting the cylindrical object itself. When a seamless tube of plastic film is used a wire or string may, if desired, be positioned under the film along the length of the cylinder to facilitate removal of the film.

The heat shrunk plastic film which envelopes the endcapped cylinder serves to bind the end caps to the cylinder and to protect the surface from mechanical and moisture damage. It prevents telescoping of rolls of sheeting and also preserves the looseness or tightness of wind of such rolls of sheeting. It can be of whatever thickness is appropriate to the amount of wear anticipated. From 2.5 to 6 mils are suitable for most applications, although thicker or thinner films can be used. Such film can be printed if desired and a label inserted under an unprinted portion of clear film which can be easily read and is fully protected. Shrinking of film around this package can be accomplished by conventional heat sources at temperatures appropriate to the heat-shrinkable film used. We have used 3 mil thick polyethylene shrink film with excellent results, shrinking it at a temperature of 420 F.

While the invention has been described with particular reference to rolls of sheeting for which itis particularly applicable, it is to be understood that it has utility for most cylindrical objects. Thus, it can be applied to textile rolls of cotton, synthetics, wool, plastic and the like, as well as rolls of paper, plastic film, roofing paper and such materials. Rolls of plastic film and sheeting and the like which can be packaged according to this invention can be of any desired width and diameter. Rolls of from 6 to 24 inches in diameter and having a width or axial length of 12 to 84 inches are commonly used in industry today. Core length will, of course, be the same as roll width for flush cores and somewhat greater for extended or protruding cores. Carbon electrodes can be conveniently packaged in this manner, as can gas cylinders. By adaptation of the end caps cylinders of almost any configuration can be packaged.

What is claimed is:

l. A cylindrical package comprising a roll of sheeting wound on a core, said core being longer than the width of said sheeting,

circular protective end caps of a diameter equal to or less than the outside diameter of said roll (on each end) axial holes in said caps whereby said caps are fitted over the protruding ends of said core, and

an overwrap of heat-shrunk plastic film enveloping said roll and core and said caps, said film covering substantially all of the outer surfaces of said end caps.

2. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said core is hollow.

3. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said end caps are each of a diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of said roll.

4. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said end caps are each of a diameter of from 75 to 100 percent of the outside diameter of said roll.

5. A cylindrical package according to claim 1, wherein said end caps are removably attached to the ends of said roll core.

6. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said end caps are made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, composition board, plastic foam, molded plastic, metal and ceramic.

7. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said overwrap of heat shrinkable plastic film is a preformed seamless tube.

8. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said overwrap of heat shrunk plastic film is a sheet which has been wrapped around said roll of sheeting and heat sealed to form a tube.

9. A cylindrical package according to claim 1, wherein said heat-shrunk film is polyethylene film.

10. Process for packaging sheeting which comprises winding sheeting onto a hollow core to form a roll, said core being longer than the width of said sheeting, fitting circular protective end caps with axial holes over the ends of said core which protrude from the axial ends of said roll, placing said roll with attached end caps inside a tube of heat-shrinkable plastic film and applying sufficient heat to the exterior of said tube to shrink said plastic film tightly around said roll and end caps so that all of said cylindrical object and substantially all of said outer surfaces of said end caps are covered by said film.

1 1. Process according to claim 10 wherein said tube of heatshrinkable plastic film is seamless.

12. Process according to claim 10 wherein said tube of heat shrinkable plastic film is fon'ned by wrapping a sheet of said film around said roll of sheeting and heat sealing said wrapped sheet along a seam to form said tube.

13. Process according to claim 10 wherein said heatshrinkable film is polyethylene film. 

1. A cylindrical package comprising a roll of sheeting wound on a core, said core being longer than the width of said sheeting, circular protective end caps of a diameter equal to or less than the outside diameter of said roll (on each end) axial holes in said caps whereby said caps are fitted over the protruding ends of said core, and an overwrap of heat-shrunk plastic film enveloping said roll and core and said caps, said film covering substantially all of the outer surfaces of said end caps.
 2. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said core is hollow.
 3. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said end caps are each of a diameter substantially the same as the outside diameter of said roll.
 4. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said end caps are each of a diameter of from 75 to 100 percent of the outside diameter of said roll.
 5. A cylindrical package according to claim 1, wherein said end caps are removably attached to the ends of said roll core.
 6. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said end caps are made of a material selected from the group consisting of wood, composition board, plastic foam, molded plastic, metal and ceramic.
 7. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said overwrap of heat shrinkable plastic film is a preformed seamless tube.
 8. A cylindrical package according to claim 1 wherein said overwrap of heat shrunk plastic film is a sheet which has been wrapped around said roll of sheeting and heat sealed to form a tube.
 9. A cylindrical package according to claim 1, wherein said heat-shrunk film is polyethylene film.
 10. Process for packaging sheeting which comprises winding sheeting onto a hollow core to form a roll, said core being longer than the width of said sheeting, fitting circular protective end caps with axiaL holes over the ends of said core which protrude from the axial ends of said roll, placing said roll with attached end caps inside a tube of heat-shrinkable plastic film and applying sufficient heat to the exterior of said tube to shrink said plastic film tightly around said roll and end caps so that all of said cylindrical object and substantially all of said outer surfaces of said end caps are covered by said film.
 11. Process according to claim 10 wherein said tube of heat-shrinkable plastic film is seamless.
 12. Process according to claim 10 wherein said tube of heat shrinkable plastic film is formed by wrapping a sheet of said film around said roll of sheeting and heat sealing said wrapped sheet along a seam to form said tube.
 13. Process according to claim 10 wherein said heat-shrinkable film is polyethylene film. 